While historically a topic of great interest, controversies and general public discourse surrounding addiction have been growing rapidly, particularly in light of the rising death toll resulting from the opioid epidemic. Debates are heating up over issues of opioid prescribing practices, legalization of marijuana, the potential for substances such as marijuana to be truly "addictive," the use of medication to treat individuals with addiction, and much more. In light of the common misconception that addictive behaviors are entirely volitional, misinformation and stigma have had a deleterious impact on the public's understanding concerning the nature, causes, and treatments of substance use disorders. Despite decades of research and tens of thousands of published and peer-reviewed investigations, critics continue to ask whether addiction is a genuine medical condition or a choice.

In Addiction: What Everyone Needs to Know(TM), leading expert in the science and treatment of addiction Suzette Glasner aims to clear the air of some of the most polarizing and misleading information that dominates public thinking about addiction. Providing straight talk and sound guidelines for the general public as well as health professionals and policymakers, Glasner raises important questions related to addiction and answers them in an accessible yet empirically informed manner throughout the book. Offering an insightful overview of addiction from its origins, to forms of treatment and complications, this book will be the go-to resource for authoritative, up-to-date, accurate, and compelling information about this topic.